Don’t they know that people are already talking about the 10-0 Patriots? Don’t they understand that people are sort of getting into the Celtics? If they’re not careful, folks might discuss names like Garnett and Brady at upcoming company parties instead of what time they should meet at “Christmas at Fenway.”

How exactly do we spend an offseason when the Red Sox want to make news 24/7?

This is already a decidedly different offseason than the one that followed the ’04 title. That winter, the Red Sox said farewell to guys like Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Dave Roberts, and Orlando Cabrera, replacing them with Matt Clement, David Wells, and Edgar Renteria. In 2008, they’ll welcome back pretty much the same team that tasted October glory last month. Give or take a Mike Timlin or a Doug Mirabelli.
-- 11.20.07, Eric Wilbur, Boston.com